MLS

Toronto FC 1-1 Houston Dynamo: 10-man visitors steal point at the death

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By Seth Vertelney

0

Apr 20, 2013 6:00:00 PM

It was heartbreak for TFC, as it failed to hold a lead in the game's dying seconds.

Toronto FC appeared to be cruising to a win against the 10-man Houston Dynamo, but Warren Creavalle's close-range header with virtually the last kick of the game ensured a 1-1 draw at BMO Field.

The home side was in the ascendency for much of the match, and Robert Earnshaw nearly opened the scoring in the game's first 10 minutes, his shot from inside the box slamming off the crossbar.

At halftime, Houston was dealt a blow as talisman Brad Davis had to withdraw with a groin injury.

TFC opened the scoring in the 58th minute, and it came from an unlikely source. After Houston failed to clear, Jeremy Hall controlled the ball, made space for himself and struck a low shot that just crept its way into the far corner. It was only his second career MLS goal.

Just minutes later, Houston's challenge was made much tougher when Jermaine Taylor was sent off for a foul on Robert Earnshaw. Taylor and Earnshaw were chasing a long ball and the defender appeared to get his arm up, which sent the striker to the ground. Though they were far from goal, as the last man back, Taylor saw red.

An equalizer appeared unlikely, but that's exactly what the Dynamo got off a late corner. An inswinging cross was headed towards Creavalle, and he merely had to glance the ball in the back of the net from three yards out. As has so often been the case, the air was let out of BMO Field.